The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hikianalia is en route back to Hawaii following a three-month voyage across the Pacific Ocean and down the coast of California.

The voyaging canoe departed the afternoon of Nov. 23 from the Maritime Museum of San Diego and is expected to arrive back in Honolulu in early to mid-December. Under the guidance of Pwo navigator Bruce Blankenfeld, the crew for the last, leg of the Alahula Kai o Maleka Hikianalia California Voyage includes lead captain Kaniela Lyman-Mersereau, co-captain Jason Patterson and navigator Haunani Kane.

The current sail plan home includes a “straight shot” from Point Loma, San Diego to Hilo, Hawaii, which is approximately 2,200 miles.

Hikianalia first departed Honolulu for the California Voyage in mid-August with Lehua Kamalu as captain and lead navigator of a crew of 13 and made landfall at Half Moon Bay on Sept. 10.

While in California, the canoe made stops in San Francisco, Sausalito, Ventura County, Redondo Beach, Catalina Island and Orange County before making a final stop in San Diego.

At each stop, the Hikianalia and crew were greeted with an arrival ceremony hosted by the indigenous and local communities of the area. While in California, the Hikianalia crew attended the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco and offered public presentations, school visits and dockside canoe tours at every stop to share the history and legacy of Polynesian voyaging and the mission of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

In San Diego, the Hikianalia was escorted in by a a replica of the 16th century Spanish Galleon, San Salvador, along with localpaddlers and members of the Kumeyaay Nation in traditional reed canoes. San Diego Mayor Kevin Falcouner also declared Oct.30, as “Hikianalia Day” in San Diego.

Updates are available at hokulea.com.